Byrdell J. Forth, Sr.

Byrdell J. Forth, Sr., 87, of Crown City passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the VA Medical Center in Huntington, WV. He was born on April 23, 1920 in Hogsett, West Virginia, son of the late James C. and Minnie Jackson Forth. Byrdell married Eloise E. Gooderham and she preceded him in death. He was retired from the Kroger Company as a non-food manager. He was a member of Victory Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon Emeritus. Byrdell was a WW II Army Air Corp veteran, serving as a Tech Sergeant with the 49th Fighter Squadron. During his military service, he received eight commendations. He was also a member of the Gideons, VFW Post 4464, American Legion Post 27, and D.A.V. Meigs Chapter 53. Surviving are his son, Jim Forth of Grove City; two daughters, Sandra Larry Queen and Sheila Ray Slone, both of Crown City; seven grandchildren, Michelle Schwinne and Mardi Forth, both of Grove City, Jason Queen of Wayne, WV, Sherry Hendrickson of Bidwell, Jeremy Queen of Crown City, Donnie Slone of Barboursville, WV and Chad Slone of Crown City; seven great grandchildren; and two sisters, Elsie King and Bonnie Smith, both of Middleport. Byrdell was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Eloise Forth, who passed away on April 8, 2004, and by three sisters, Dorothy Baker, Delcie Forth and Emma Forthe. Services will be 1 p.m., Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Victory Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Warner and Pastor James Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. There will be full military graveside services by volunteers of area veterans lodges. Friends may call at the Willis Funeral Home on Friday, December 7, 2007 from 6-8 p.m. Pallbearers will be Donnie Slone, Jason Queen, Chad Slone, Jeremy Queen, Jim Schwinne, Brian Hendrickson, and Mark Gilkey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Byrdell to the Gideons or Victory Baptist Church. A special thanks from the family to the Gallia County Senior Citizens Center and the VA Medical Center. Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2007-12-08 Ridgelawn Cemetery Mercerville OH US Visitation: 2007-12-07 18:00:00-20:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Service: 2007-12-08 13:00:00 Victory Baptist Church Crown City OH US